A Vibrant Community: Student Numbers At Bath Spa University

Bath Spa University is a public university in Bath, England, with a range of campuses and facilities. The university offers a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate courses across different disciplines, and its student population falls within the medium range, with 5,001-10,000 students according to one source, and 13,250 students according to another. The university guarantees accommodation for its undergraduates and offers a range of support services and extracurricular activities to enhance the student experience.

Student accommodation capacity

Bath Spa University offers student accommodation to 2,264 students in several locations around the Bath area, as well as on its main Newton Park campus. The Newton Park Campus houses 868 students in single, shared, and en-suite rooms. The accommodation is divided into two groups of buildings, Lakeside and Gardens, located at opposite ends of the campus. The Gardens accommodation, completed in 2014, is a "student village" consisting of separate houses for 561 first-year students. The Lakeside accommodation is situated near the lake and comprises a cluster of dorms.

In addition to the on-campus accommodation, the university also offers off-campus housing options through partnerships with private student accommodation providers. These include Charlton Court, Waterside Court, and Twerton Mill, located on Lower Bristol Road. Charlton Court and Waterside Court, managed by Unite Students, offer a total of 606 en-suite rooms. Twerton Mill, managed by CRM, provides 277 rooms in a carless, eco-friendly development with a mixture of en-suite rooms and traditional townhouses with shared facilities.

The university also manages Bankside House, located a short walk from the Sion Hill campus and the city centre. Bankside House accommodates 40 students in single or studio options, making it the smallest of the university's residences. Overall, the university's accommodation options cater to a range of student preferences, from those seeking the tranquility of nature at Newton Park to those preferring the convenience of city life in the other residences.

Student satisfaction

Student reviews of the university are mixed, with an average rating of 3.8/5 on StudentCrowd. Positive reviews praise the university's strong and safe environment, beautiful campus, and supportive staff. However, other reviews criticise the university for a lack of organisation, poor communication, and limited support for students with mental health issues.

The Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey 2018 found that students at Bath Spa University reported higher levels of satisfaction with the quality of staff and lectures, community atmosphere, and extra-curricular activities compared to the average for all UK universities.

The university has a Student Union that organises events and provides support and advice to students. However, some students have reported that the union is small and not very active.

Overall, while Bath Spa University has seen a decline in student satisfaction in recent years, there are still many students who report having a positive experience at the university.

Student demographics

Bath Spa University is a public university in Bath, England, with its main campus at Newton Park, about 3.5 miles west of the city centre. The university has two other campuses in the city of Bath, and one at Corsham Court in Wiltshire.

The student population at Bath Spa University is considered medium-sized, with 5,001-10,000 students enrolled. The university offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, with 80% of its students being undergraduates. The student body is predominantly female, with 64% of students identifying as women and 36% as men. The university also has a significant population of mature students, with 42% of students aged 21 and over.

In terms of student satisfaction, Bath Spa University has seen a dip in recent years, with an overall satisfaction rate of 71.7% in 2021, placing it 113th in the UK. This is a decrease from previous years, with student satisfaction rates of 87% and 89% in 2013 and 2014, respectively. The university aims to support its students through services such as a dedicated student union, accommodation options, and academic advising.

The university offers a range of accommodation options, including on-campus housing at the Newton Park Campus, which can accommodate 868 students, and off-campus housing in nearby locations. The university currently offers accommodation to 2,264 students in several locations around the Bath area.

In addition to its academic offerings, the university provides support for student well-being, including mental health services and accommodation for students with disabilities. The university also encourages social inclusion and works closely with its students and staff to ensure a positive and inclusive experience for all.

Course and subject options

Bath Spa University offers a wide range of courses for undergraduate and postgraduate students. The university has a total of 230 undergraduate courses.

Undergraduate Courses

Undergraduate courses at Bath Spa University include:

• Acting (Film and Television) BA (Hons)
• Acting (Theatre) BA (Hons)
• Acting and Performance Making BA (Hons)
• Architecture (Professional Placement Year) BA (Hons)
• Architecture (with Foundation Year) BA (Hons)
• Architecture BA (Hons)
• Biology (Professional Placement Year) BSc (Hons)
• Biology and Education (Professional Placement Year) BA (Hons)/BSc (Hons)
• Biology and Education BA (Hons)/BSc (Hons)
• Business and Management
• Film, TV and Digital Production
• Journalism and Publishing
• Primary Education with QTS
• Psychology
• Literature
• Music
• Law
• Fashion and textiles
• Wildlife Conservation
• Television Production
• Management Accounting
• History (Theoretical)
• Environmental Science
• Communication Studies
• International Politics
• Educational Psychology
• Theatre & Dramatic Arts
• Photographic Techniques
• Occupational Psychology
• Film / Video Production
• Communication and Media
• Environmental Management
• Internet Security Systems
• Fashion / Textiles Design
• Computer Games Technology
• Psychology and Counselling
• Psychology Specialisations
• Human Resources Management
• Environmental Conservation
• Teaching In Primary Schools
• Personal Health and Fitness
• Children / Youth Social Work
• Teaching In Secondary Schools
• Marketing specific industries
• International Business Studies
• Accounting, Business & Finance
• Architecture, Building & Planning

Postgraduate Courses

Postgraduate courses include:

• Teacher Education
• Film, TV and Digital Production

Combined Courses

A carefully selected number of undergraduate courses can be taken together, so students do not have to limit themselves to one subject. These are known as combined courses.

Campus facilities

Bath Spa University has four main campuses: Newton Park, Locksbrook, Sion Hill, and Corsham Court. The University also maintains smaller satellite teaching spaces around Bath, such as the Oldfield Park Theatre Workshops, and has a presence in London.

Newton Park Campus

Newton Park, the largest of the University's campuses, is located about 3.5 miles west of Bath. The campus is steeped in history, with buildings from a range of ages, including the Grade I listed Main House, the 14th-century Newton St Loe Castle, and Grade II* listed stable buildings, gardens, and a walled garden. The campus also features a lake, nature reserve, woodlands, and arable farmland.

Newton Park offers student accommodation and houses the Students' Union, which runs a bar, cafe, gym, and shop, as well as sports facilities such as rugby and football pitches, a netball court, and changing facilities. The campus has undergone substantial development in recent years, including the addition of a new academic building called "Commons", which boasts technologically-enabled study spaces, working rooms, and a cafe. The University Theatre, completed in 2006, features a 186-seat auditorium, backstage and technical facilities, and three large teaching studios. The Michael Tippett Centre is the only purpose-built concert hall in Bath and is used for lectures, exhibitions, and performances.

Locksbrook Campus

Locksbrook is the University's newest campus, located near the city centre of Bath, next to the River Avon. The campus features technical workshops, open and flexible studio spaces, large social areas, a cafe, and a permanent gallery for artwork displays.

Sion Hill Campus

The Sion Hill campus is located in the Lansdown district of Bath and houses the Bath School of Art and Design, where most art and design courses are taught.

Corsham Court

The Corsham Court site in Wiltshire is home to the University's specialist centre for postgraduate research and teaching. It is located within a Grade I listed country house, surrounded by stunning gardens. The centre handles most postgraduate courses and provides development support for research projects, workshops, studios, seminar rooms, music, photography, film, and textile facilities, a library, and social learning spaces.

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